156B Week 6

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• • Test runs of the prototype misting system can be performed with some considerations:

    • The existing fans in their shell casing can be connected to the new unit's goose-necks until the redesigned casings are made

    • With the use of the existing mister casing, leaks will occur from the nozzle due to the aluminum holding not being properly sealed for use with the Hago mister nozzles

    • Mounting the unit onto the Club Car cart will have to use the existing mounting system, and as such is not the final design, but it can be used to observe the misting system operating with elements such as the steering wheel in place.

    • The aluminum support beams are about 3.81 cm (1.5 in) lower due to the dimensions of the brackets used to hold the horizontal plate to the side panels of the unit, as such the water tank will have to be placed outside the unit (this prototype will not reflect the final design's roto-molded tank which will be just above these beams)

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Prototype acrylic holding unit for the pump and accumulator has been manufactured and assembled (unit fits nicely on top of Club Car dashboard)

  • Rigid tubing has been implemented with L-couplings to better allow flow and prevent the tubing from being pinched while exiting the casing

  • goose-neck and associated mounts are ready to be installed onto the unit

  • Observation made: Maximum pump pressure that can be used before the tubing is forced to separate from couplings is 689.5 kPa (100psi)

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • Machine access holes into aluminum beams to be placed onto the mounting brackets and allow wires and tubing to enter and exit at desired locations along the length() (Cristobal)

  • Assemble and connect the mister and nozzle casing onto the unit with the goose-neck components (Chota and Cristobal)

  • Test misters on the golf cart itself- looking at the adjustability of the goose-neck and effects of possible obstructions to the misting- adjustments to the pressure and flow rate will be determined (Oscar and Erasmo)

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • A large 3D printer is still being looked into at the moment

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments  (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Steve Roberts recommended some methods for additional filtering for each electronic component, such as using a voltage regulator with the capacitor to absorb some of the  voltage spikes leading into the fans, and to use stranded wires twisted together so that the inductance created by each wire is balanced out. (5/1/17)

    • The team has purchased smaller ceramic capacitors (0.47 uF) to implement with the fans as additional spike protection

    • The final manufactured design should use stranded wires for their durability   

Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • The question regarding how the team is reducing production costs was brought up during the Proof of Concept Presentation (5/1/17)

    • The main focus in addressing this issue is to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing and assembly of the mister system by:

      • simplifying the design of the roto-molded tank and fan casing so less resources and man power are needed per unit, such as removal and reaming of each molded part

      • have the unit be self contained so a single individual can install the unit in a few steps

    • Components that are being kept are considered to be of decent quality and are likely to last for long periods before needing replacing. This is especially true for the Hago nozzles, which are reusable with proper cleaning, as opposed to the plastic nozzles which are single use.

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Is 3D printing tank possible?? If not we might have to have the tank be separate for the final prototype but still contained in the advised final design

Resources or Information Required but not Available

Schedule

• • Finish building prototype, troubleshoot design (such as ideal pressure in accumulator)

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • Budget Limit: $1,800.00 

  • Total Spent: $276.51 

  • Remaining: $1,523.49

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Chapter 1, 2, 5 of report have been mostly done 

  • Initial webpage draft has been completed